Using Drones in Residential Construction May Become More Popular

Business Management
Published

More and more home builders are embracing technology to help keep their businesses running amid the current COVD-19 pandemic. Teleworking when possible, online closings and other services, and increased private showings were all cited in a recent NAHB survey of builders.

But other technologies, like the use of drones to make properties more accessible, have been helpful in recent years, and may become more widely used as the industry adapts due to stay at home orders, social distancing, and possible restricted movement even as some state stay orders have lifted.

Tracy Butler, executive officer of the Illinois Home Builders & Remodelers Metro East Association was recently interviewed for Building Women magazine about her use of drones to spark interest in an event. Butler used a local production company to create videos that included both aerial and interior footage. The drones were able to capture a 360-degree view of the exterior of a home and fly-ins showcased the interiors.

Butler and others noted that attendance had wavered at some events in recent years, leaving some builders unable to keep all their homes manned with sales agents during events like a Parade of Homes or her Dream Homes event. Drone footage videos can bring the homes directly to buyers via their computer or cell phones.

“The bottom line is prospective home buyers could see the attractive new homes from the convenience of their smartphone,” Butler said. “It truly was a win-win for everyone.”

Of the more than 1.5 million drones registered in the United States, about one third are registered for commercial use, with home builders at the forefront of the technology’s use for things like aerial photographs for promotional materials, tracking progress during development of sites, and preliminary surveillance before starting a project.

Drone photography is not new but may be one tool that could see increased usage by builders for sales and marketing, showcasing an entire community and its surroundings as well as individual homes. Drone images can also be used during surveying and acquisition of land.

Two recent webinars addressing the topic of how businesses and sales teams are adjusting their strategies.

This post is adapted from a recent article in Building Women magazine, which takes an in-depth look at women in building, and features on current industry trends, innovative products, the latest technology, and economic forecasts. Readers will also find a variety of interesting columns on career building, work/life balance, business management, and the latest on Professional Women in Building Council news, events and activities. See more at nahb.org

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics | Housing Affordability

Aug 21, 2025

New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second Quarter

While new homes remain largely unaffordable, builder efforts to improve housing affordability paid dividends in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). The CHI results from the second quarter of 2025 show that a family earning the nation’s median income of $104,200 needed 36% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning only 50% of median income, would have to spend 71% of their earnings to pay for the same new home.

Economics

Aug 20, 2025

Custom Home Building Grows as Broader Housing Market Struggles

An analysis of census data by NAHB economists shows that custom home building grew 4% in the second quarter of 2025 as high interest rates and home prices suppress demand for traditional spec home production.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Aug 21, 2025

Existing Home Sales Rise in July

Existing home sales rebounded in July as mortgage rates retreated from the recent peak and home price growth slowed, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Economics

Aug 21, 2025

New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second Quarter

While new homes remain largely unaffordable, builder efforts to improve housing affordability paid dividends in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).

Economics

Aug 20, 2025

Retreat for Single-Family Built-for-Rent Housing

Single-family built-for-rent construction fell back in the second quarter, as a higher cost of financing crowded out development activity.